View Single Post
  #22  
Old Posted Jun 12, 2015, 3:09 PM
BolliBatlu's Avatar
BolliBatlu BolliBatlu is offline
BANED
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: बिर्सेपेंटे कुड्ल
Posts: 1,124
UK chips in to make Kolkata climate-resilient
Quote:
KOLKATA: The UK government is assisting Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to develop a roadmap that will make the city climate resilient and set it on a sustainable, low-carbon growth path.

While the blueprint will be ready by December, mayor-in-council members and councillors are being sensitized so that they can drive the initiative forward and implement the roadmap. Another key component of the UK-KMC programme is institutional capacity building at the civic body.

Speaking to TOI, Sandy Sheard, counsellor (energy, climate and growth) at British High Commission, said the initiative was aimed at creating policies and strategies to make municipal services more climate-smart in terms of energy use, water, waste and transport.

"The entire programme is based on three pillars. The first is to develop a strategy on sustainable development that will address disaster management, city mobility plan, solid waste management and rooftop solar. The second pillar is sensitization of MMiCs so that they drive the initiative in their respective wards. The third is to help KMC build capacity so that it can deliver the strategies," said Sheard.

A multi-hazard assessment map of the entire KMC area is being prepared to identify the vulnerability of each ward. Precipitation, cyclone and flooding data will help create the map. Once the most vulnerable are identified, strategies will be readied on what to do to mitigate the risk and respond better to climate-induced disasters. Apart from KMC, other disaster management agencies have also been involved to prepare a comprehensive plan.

Also on the anvil is a city mobility plan that aims to integrate the transport system, decongest roads, promote use of public transport and cut down on emission. Among specific strategies being worked out are non-motorized corridors for short distances, parking-free arterial roads to increase mobility, creation of multi-tier parking facilities in streets that link arterial roads, promotion of eco-friendly vehicles and fiscal instruments like congestion tax to ease mobility in areas that are extremely congested.

A climate-smart municipal solid waste management strategy is underway to identify a technologically feasible and financially viable model for recycling plastic wastes, route optimization for transportation of waste, scientific management of waste by way of segregation at source and identification of potential public-private partnership options waste management.

Stakeholders' consultations are underway to develop a grid-connected solar rooftop scheme for Kolkata. The state power department is leading the initiative.

To sensitize KMC councillors and MMiCs, toolkits were handed out in February when a delegation from UK's Commonwealth Parliament Association led by the Speaker of the House of Lords visited the House of Lords. Fifteen sensitization events will be held at the borough level between June and September this year. KMC officials will also be taken to three Indian cities to expose them to community-led innovative climate-friendly interventions.

"We hope the blueprint with investment plan will help the city access international funding and investments for sustainable growth," Sheard added.
Bengal cabinet clears deck for developing six modern cities

Last edited by BolliBatlu; Jun 12, 2015 at 6:06 PM.
Reply With Quote